• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.70-83
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• 1999

The birth of a premature infant is distressing for its parents. The parents of a premature infant experience stress according to the infant's physical appearance and behavior, the environment of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) , and the alteration in the parental role. Especially, a mother of a premature infant feels distressed even after the discharge of the infant : therefore, she has difficulties in maternal role performance. The main purpose of this study is to identify the effects of the planned infant care information program in order to lower the stress level for mothers of premature infants caused by the birth and hospitalization in NICU of premature infants, to reduce the maternal role strain, and to promote the maternal role performance after the infants' discharge. This study employed two methods of research at the same time : quasi -experimental non-equivalent pre and post test to compare : non-equivalent post test to compare. The total number of subjects was 19 who were assigned to the research program : 12 mothers of premature infants at the NICU at the Ch university hospital and 7 at the NICU at the Y general hospital located in Chounju city. The data were collected for 79 days from August 18 to November 5, 1998. The questionnaire method was applied for the data collection, and the measures used in this study were Parental Stressor Scale : NICU(Miles, 1993), the Maternal Role Strain Measures ( Hobbs, 1968 ; Steffensmeier, 1982) , and Self Confidence Scale (Pharis, 1978). Research procedure is as follows : after preliminary examination, the experimental subjects, the mothers of premature infants at the Nl CU at Ch university hospital were provided with slide films and information developed by the researcher based on existing documents and data. It took two 60-minute sessions a week for two weeks, and the mothers' stress level was measured using the same instrument twice one week and two week after the infants' hospitalization. The stress level of the contrast subjects, the mothers at Y general hospital was measured during the same period. The experimental subjects were provided with booklets on matters that require attention after the infants' discharge and on developmental project, and they were educated to play the maternal role in person for 2-3 hours a week : breast-feeding, burping a baby, and changing diapers. One week after the infants' discharge, the maternal role strain and the maternal role performance were examined in two groups of the subjects. The analysis of collected data was done using descriptive statistics including real numbers, percentages, averages, and standard deviations. Mann-Whitney test ; x² test ; Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance ; ANCOVA Spearman's rho correlation coefficients. The results on this study were as follows. (1) The examination of the same quality showed that there were no differences in the general and obstetrical characters between the two groups. However, in terms of the characters of premature infants. just right after their birth, the infants at the contrast group weighed more than those at the experimental group(U=16.5, p=.02), and the former was in mother's womb longer than the latter(U=15.5, p=.02). (2) The stress level of the mothers provided with the plannned nursing intervention program became lower as time passed compared to the others'(F=16.61, p=.00) Even when the influence of weight at birth and the length of gestation was removed among the premature infants' characters, the mothers' stress levels made a statistical difference 2 weeks after the infants' hospitalization depending on treatment (F=8.00, p=.01) (3) The maternal role strain of the mothers provided with the planned nursing intervention program was lower than the others'(U=2.0, p=.00). Even when the influence of weight at birth and the length of gestation was removed among the premature infants' characters, the maternal role strain levels made a statistical difference 2 weeks after the infants' hospitalization, depending on treatment(F=14.72, p=.00). (4) The maternal role performance level of the mothers provided with the planned nursing program was higher than the others'(U=.0, p=.00). Even when the influence of weight at birth and the length of gestation was removed among the premature infants' characters, the mothers' stress levels made a statistical difference 2 weeks after the infants' hospitalization, depending on treatment(F=8.00, p=.01). (5) The correlation between a mother's stress level 2 weeks after her infant's hospitalization, the maternal role strain and the maternal role performance were compared : the stress and the maternal role strain were statistically irrelevant to each other(r=.33, p=.12) : the stress was found to be in inverse proportion to the maternal role performance(r=-.53, p=.02). The maternal role strain was in inverse proportion to the maternal role performance as well(r=-.50, p=.00). In conclusion, for the mothers provided with the planned nursing intervention program, their stress level was getting lower as time passed during the infants' hospitalization, their maternal role strain reduced when they took care of their infants after their discharge, and their maternal role performance level was high compared to the other mothers. Besides, the lower the stress level of mothers of premature infants was during the infants' hospitalization, the higher the maternal role performance after their discharge was. The lower maternal role strain was, the higher the maternal role performance was as well. These results of the study suggested that the nursing intervention program for the mothers of premature infants developed by the researcher would be effectively applied to nursing practice, and it would be a foundation for the development of this kind of program.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare mother's caring-confidence, between primipara perception of the newborn, and child-rearing attitude and multipara. Method: The data was collected from 159 married mothers of newborns in the post-partum care center using self-rating questionnaires from November, 2003 to March, 2004. Data was analyzed using SPSS/Win program by t-test and Pearson Correlation coefficient. Result: 1) The mean score of mother's perception of the newborn, the newborn caring-confidence, and child-rearing attitude were .26, 3.13, and 3.43. 2) The score of the newborn caring-confidence of multipara was greater significantly than the one of primapara. 3) The score of mother's perception of tile newborn and child-rearing attitude of primapara were greater than the one of multipara but there were no significant differences. 4) There was a positive correlation between mother's perception of the newborn and child-rearing attitude and significant correlation between caring-confidence and child-rearing attitude. 5) The score of mother's perception of the newborn was significantly different according to the level of education type of family and delivery planned. 6) The score of caring-confidence was significantly different according to the helper, the history of delivery. 7) The score of child-rearing attitude was significantly difference according to the level of education and the birth weight of newborn. Conclusion: When the newborn care giver in the postpartum care setting is teaching the method of infant care to mother, there should be in consideration of the rearing experience of mothers. Mother's perception of the newborn, caring-confidence, and child-rearing attitude should be considered to develop the effective education program for mothers who have newborn. And its educational contents must be focused on the promotion of trust between infant and mother.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.344-351
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was done to examine effects of a discharge education program using on-line community on parenting stress, baby care confidence for mothers of premature infants and health problem of premature infants. Methods: Using a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design, 32 participants were assigned to an experimental (17) or a control group (15). Mothers in the experimental group were introduced to the discharge education program 2 weeks before the baby was discharged. They participated in the on-line community for 4 weeks after discharge. Parenting Stress Index and Baby Care Confidence Scale were utilized for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, $X^2$-test, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test with the SPSS program 16.0 version. Results: In the experimental group, mean scores for parenting stress were lower than for the control group (Z=-3.176, p=.001), while scores for confidence in baby care were higher than for the control group (Z=-3.195, p=.001). Conclusion: Findings indicate that discharge education programs using on-line community have the positive effect of decreasing parenting stress and increasing baby care confidence for mothers and decreasing health problems for infants. Therefore utilization of the internet and online community to educate parents of premature infants is recommended.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.322-331
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• 1998

The postpartum is a period of transition to motherhood where a childless woman transforms into a woman with children. Parents, especially mothers must perform an essential role of implementing instrumental and emotional care behaviors on part of the helpless, dependent, and immature infant. First-time mothers, however, suddenly face the responsibility of round the clock duty without neither parenting training during pregnancy, nor a time to gradually adapt to growing responsibilities after birth, with confusion and frustration as a result. Thus, after providing first-time mothers with childcare education as maternal role preparation, this study will try to examine its effects on childcare behaviors and confidence in maternal role during the early postpartum period. This quasi-experimental study using a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design, was carried out from March 1995 to May 1996 to verify the effects of a childcare education program with first-time mothers who had vaginal delivery in Ewha University Hospital, Seoul, Korea, and collected data from 60 subjects who consented to the study. The education was given in the early postpartum period(48-72 hours after delivery) and to measure its effects, a posttest was done 4 weeks later with the results analyzed by SPSS shown in the following : 1. The childcare behavior score of the experimental group that had received the newborn care education was higher than the control group(t=3.5, P=.001). 2. The control group and the experimental group which had received the education showed no difference in degree of confidence in maternal role. 3. The higher the childcare behavior score, the higher the degree of confidence in maternal role was among the subjects(r=.56, P=.001). The preceding results are significant in that childcare practices can be promoted by providing child-care education to first-time mothers in the early postpartum period. Thus, this education can be used as a nursing intervention strategy in the early postpartum period.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.495-505
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe growth and development of breast-fed infants and to depict experiences of breastfeeding mothers. Method: The data were collected from 145 infants and mothers participating in A Healthy Breastfeeding Infant Contest. The instrument used for this study was a self-report questionnaire completed by the participants and an evaluation record completed by the examiners. Results: The more specific results of the study are as follows: the weight of the infants was much higher than the Korean Standards. The height of infants was not significantly different from the Korean Standards except for 5 month old male infants. The results of Denver II showed all 145 infants were classified as normal. The breastfeeding experiences in mothers was as follows; 31.7% of the mothers breastfed for 5 months, 48.3% wanted to breastfed as long as the baby wanted. The mothers pointed out that the difficult problem in breastfeeding was insufficient breastfeeding room in public areas. What mothers want to know related to breastfeeding was, breastfeeding duration, time to begin solid food and recommended amounts, time to discontinue breastfeeding at sleep time and appropriate methods. Conclusion: Mothers' experience in breastfeeding was positive. We should provide mothers a comfortable place in public areas for breastfeeding. Based on the result of the study it's propose that health professionals must intervene in breast care during both antepartum and early postpartum periods.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.239-248
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate effects of a mother-fetus interaction promotion program on maternal and infant sleep/activity regulation, and examine the correlation between maternal and infant sleep/activity. Methods: Thirty-four mother-infant dyads were recruited from an OB-GY clinic with postpartum care center, and assigned to the intervention group (17) or control group (17). Data were collected from January 18 to August 5 2005. A programmed education focused on mother-fetus interaction was provided to the intervention group in the 3rd trimester. Maternal sleep/activity record was completed at 32-36 weeks gestation and infant sleep/activity record was completed for one month after birth. Results: During the 3rd trimester, there were no significant differences in maternal sleep/activity between the groups, except for frequency of mothers' night awakening and urination at night. There were no significant differences in infant sleep, but significant difference was found in feeding times between the groups. Correlation of maternal sleep in the 3rd trimester and infant waking times was significant. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that maternal sleep/activity during pregnancy influences infant sleep/activity at 3-4 weeks, and that nursing interventions to regulate maternal sleep/activity provided to primiparas can be beneficial to the regularity of infant sleep/activity patterns.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.48-56
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the influencing factors of mothers' confidence in their maternal role during the early postpartum period. Methods: Participants were 178 postpartum women who delivered at three specialized obstetrics and gynecology facilities and used the postpartum care facility in city B. Data were collected from February to April, 2012 using the scales of measurements of self-confidence in maternal role performance, maternal self-esteem, mother-to-infant attachment, social support, and childcare stress. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression were used with the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program to analyze the data. Results: The scores for self-confidence in the maternal role showed significant negative correlations with the scores of childcare stress (r=-.40, p<.001). Parity and maternal attachment were significant predictors and accounted for 97.4% of the variance in self-confidence in the maternal role. Conclusion: To strengthen self-confidence in the maternal role of early postpartum mothers, prenatal class programs need to be complemented in order to reduce childcare stress and promote mother-to-infant attachment.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.27-47
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of a good teacher of infants from the perspective of working mothers from double-income families in light of the direct and indirect relationships between working mothers and teachers. The subjects in this study were six working mothers from double-income families that had infants who attended N and S daycare centers in the city of Chunan. An in-depth interview was implemented individually. The findings of the study were as follows: First, as for the looks of a good teacher in terms of teacher-infant relationships, the working mothers perceived that a good teacher of infants should be like a mother, try to step up the growth and change of infants and play with them with pleasure. Second, concerning the looks of a good teacher of infants in terms of teacher-mother relationships, the working mothers felt that a good teacher should serve as an emotional supporter for mothers and as one who could help mothers acquire more child rearing knowledge. Third, regarding the looks of a good teacher in terms of an educator, the mothers perceived that a good teacher of infants should be steady, genuine, professional and cooperative.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.229-249
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• 2013

This study aims to analyze the effects of infants' attachment to their mother and child care teacher on their adaptation to child care. Data were collected in a purposive sample involving 100 infants and toddlers at age one and two, their mothers, and 36 teachers were analyzed with two-way ANOVA. The results showed that the effects of infants' attachment to their mother and teacher varied by subfactors of adaptation. 'Social Relationships' and 'Positive Emotion' were significantly different only among infants who established insecure attachment with their mother. Second, the level of 'Social Relationships' and 'Positive Emotion' were significantly high when teacher-infant attachment was secure among infants who established insecure attachment with their mother. Third, there were significant effects of mother-infant attachment on 'Aggressive Behavior' as infants who established insecure attachment with their mother showed a significantly higher level of 'Aggressive Behavior' than infants having secure attachment with their mother.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was to compare the knowledge and confidence of newborn care between mother and father. In furthermore, to develop a nursing intervention based on the data. Methods: A descriptive design was used, the participants of this study were 85 couples of mother and father of newborn, hospitalized in postpartum care center. Knowledge and confidence of newborn care was measured from the two postpartum care center located in G province. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test, t-test and ANOVA were used to analyze the data using SPSS. Results: Comparing to the mothers', the scores for fathers' knowledge and confidence of newborn care were lower. Particularly, fathers of first-born showed lower score of knowledge and confidence of newborn care. Also, fathers were lacking of knowledge and confidence related to health problem management. Conclusion: The results showed that nursing intervention which encourage fathers to raise the confidence in involvement of newborn care is needed to be developed. Also evaluation of the effect of newborn care education for parents, and longitudinal study of effect on infant and child development is suggested.